Rally a success, says Turun

Published: 1 January 2014 12:33 PM

Organisers of last night's anti-price hike rally in Dataran Merdeka declared it a success. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Turun, an undergraduate non-governmental organisation that was formed to oppose the recent price hikes, has declared its rally last night a success, while pegging attendance at 50,000.

In a statement, Turun head Azan Safar said participants, who sang the national anthem at the end of the rally, were patriotic and had no plans to topple the government as alleged by the authorities.

"Thank you, Malaysians, from well-known individuals to the common man who assembled peacefully and dispersed after the New Year celebrations," said Azan.

Azar condemned alleged "provocative" acts that disrupted the New Year’s Eve celebrations and concert at Dataran Merdeka last night.

He thanked the police and City Hall for their cooperation last night.

However, city police said today they would haul in organisers and participants of an anti-price hike rally at Dataran Merdeka for violating conditions of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Deputy city police chief Datuk Amar Singh said: "As the public were celebrating the end of 2013 and waiting to usher in 2014, their revelry was interrupted by those participating in the rally.

"Police had been extremely patient and lenient with the rally participants. Unfortunately, they rammed through the three barriers."

Amar said police were not inclined to be heavy-handed last night, having said before that they would adopt a relaxed approach to the rally participants and organisers. – January 1, 2014.

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